1. Safe Choices- MySpace & Other Social Networking Sites Parent Workshop November 13, 2007 By Carolyn Walsh

2. Goals Define Social Networking sites Review societal trends Review known and recent concerns about improper use of MySPACE Outline Resources for Families Outline Safe Choices for SNS & Blogging Offer suggestions on internet safety Work in Progress

3. Societal Changes  Digital Divide  Media is now how we socialize  What is appropriate?  What are personal boundaries?

4. What is a social networking site?  A place to hang out---modern day malls, ice-cream or burger joint  Some are purely social, romantic or way of business networking  Currently being used in politics, fund raisers and advertisement of movies, cars as well as emerging talents

5. What else is it? Is it a fad? No it’s a business. Source for advertisement A potential for identity theft Universities, government, departments of education are all studying societal trends as well as the impact of the internet and other media on human behavior Difference between generations---digital natives vs. digital immigrants

6. Source: Mary Madden 10/19/07 Presentation to OCLC CAPCON A Timeline of Teens and Technology Source: Amanda Lenhart Policy & Advocacy in the Schools Meeting APA August 16, 2007 San Francisco, CA Pew Internet & American Life Project Powerpoint Presentations Educate Engage Empower Netsmartz Motto

7. Teen Reality #4 Teens are multimedia multi- taskers: Multi-tasking is a way of life – and people live in a state of “continuous partial attention” --- Linda Stone

8. Kaiser Family Foundation, Generation M, March 2005

10. Social Networking Websites “Online Social Networks are web spaces where individuals can post information about themselves, usually by creating a profile or website, and where they can connect with others in the same network.” Two main elements to social networking that relate to its appeal to teens (and young adults) –Connecting and communicating with others –Content creation a.k.a. self-expression 55% of online teens use social networking websites 55% have a profile online

11. Where do teens go online? 89% of online teens go online from home 75% access the internet at school 70% go online from a friend or relative’s house 50% use the internet at a library 8% go online from someplace else

12. SNS: Demographics Girls, particularly older girls, more likely to use SNS than boys (70% of girls 15-17 have profile online, compared to 57% of boys 15-17) Age is major factor –12 & 13 year-olds; 37% have an online profile –14 -17 year-olds; 63% have an online profile Other demographic factors not significant –Income –Race/ethnicity

13. MySpace and Social Networking The eye of the storm: More than 200 million accounts created 55% of online teens use social networking sites Of those who use social networking, 48% log on to the sites at least once a day or more

14. SNS: Gender and Behavior Reinforcing pre-existing relationships (girls) –91% stay in touch with friends they see a lot –82% stay in touch with friends they rarely see in person Meeting new people & flirting (boys) –49% make new friends more for boys, less for girls –17% flirt mostly older boys – 29% of them flirt vs. 13% of older girls

15. Tensions in SNS Use Embodies tension in social networking sites –Teens want to stay safe –Want to connect with friends and with those with similar interests –People need to be able to find you to make new connections –Social networks ask for lots of personal information when you create a profile –Facilitates good and bad “findability”

16. Profiles: Switchboards for social life

17. Content Creation 57% of online teens have created some kind of content online Includes –Photos –Video –Writing, stories –Artwork –Songs, music 19% have a blog 38% read the blogs of others 76% of social network-using teens leave comments on the blogs of friends Self-expression and feedback

18. 33% of online teens share their own creations online, such as artwork, photos, stories, or videos Sharing Creative Work

19. Bluegrass fiddler Nick Dumas: Age 16 "I'd be surprised if our band doesn't get noticed by some record company," Dumas says confidently. "People keep telling us, `You need to go to Nashville.‘”

20. 32% have created or worked on webpages or blogs for others, including those for groups they belong to, friends or school assignments Working for Others

21. Jasmine Ta: Teen Journalist

22. 22% report keeping their own personal webpage Personal Webpages

23. Privacy Choices 66% of teens who have profiles online have in some way restricted access to it – includes hiding it completely, taking it down, or making it private 56% of teens with profiles say they have posted at least some fake information to their profile “ I use a pseudonym, who is 24. Because I regard myself as an intellectual, it’s easier to be taken seriously if people don’t know they’re talking to a 16 year old.” - Boy, Late High School

24. Can be fun Need to be serious about safety Make informed decisions Can’t ignore it Need to know resources Have a plan Safe Choices and Safe Navigation

25. My Space is not a fad  Billion dollar industry  Advertisement spending on social-networking sites may almost triple to $3.63 billion globally by 2011, according to EMarketer.  According to Herald Sun 11/9/07, MySpace reports to signing up 300,000 new users from around the world daily, attracting advertising dollars and would be operating in 30 countries by next year.  Net income dipped to $732 million from $843 million, reflecting asset sale gains made a year earlier.  Overall revenue for MYSPACE increased 17 per cent to $7.1 billion, exceeding market expectations.

26. Well…No My Space for you  Open Communication interrupted  Cookie Jar Syndrome  Denying options doesn’t “teach” your child to make safe choices  MySPACE is only one of many site options

27. Social Networking Sites www.facebook.com www.blackplanet.com www.xanga.com www.friendster.com www.highschoolhotties.com www.schoolscandals.com www.buddypic.com More Than My Space New Google Site New Alternatives

28. What can you do on these sites?  Features differ by site  Generally, include chat rooms, e-mail accounts, instant messenger  Post digital photos, videos and audio  Youtube…..new phenomena….create your own short movie….have your own following

29. What are the security implications?  Alter-ego------cyberidentity---- avitar  Sites give false sense of security  Feelings of anonymity decrease inhibitions  What stays on the internet is accessible to others  Need to impress others separate of truth (i.e. bragging about alcohol, drugs or sex).

30. What is MY Space? New Security Features Commonsensemedia.com Dateline MSNBC ---”To Catch a Predator” Statistics –more adults than children Known sex offenders on site

31. What’s new about My Space  Increased security features  You can delete a profile  Campaign to educate parents and offer on-line resources  Make profiles public or private  www.commonsensemedia.com www.commonsensemedia.com

32. Is it enough?  No but it is a start  Not a substitute for parent-child communication  As of 10/18/06---many sex offenders still use My Space--- 774 used real names  Most use fake names and profiles

33. Not just myspace…  Oprah Website  Justin B’s experience  Now working with FBI  Committee’s investigating use of internet Chat Room Blog On-Line Game

34. Don’t feel helpless….start with simple safety choices Common Sense & Safe Choices New information to keep you afloat. Filtering Options

35. Navigate One Step at a time Become more literate on the internet Become more literate on the internet Your presence here tonight Your presence here tonight

36. Internet safety for children Many resources for parents, students and educators

37. New Vocabulary New Vocabulary New Vocabulary Sniffers Sniffers Website Portals Website Portals Trojan Horse & worm infiltration Trojan Horse & worm infiltration Fire Wall Fire Wall Adware/Spyware Adware/Spyware Chat logging Chat logging World of New Acronyms World of New Acronyms

38. New slang POS----Parent over shoulder POS----Parent over shoulder 411-----Information 411-----Information AND----Any Day Now AND----Any Day Now A/S/L---Age, Sex Location A/S/L---Age, Sex Location ASAP—As soon as possible ASAP—As soon as possible CUOL—See you on line CUOL—See you on line IPN------I’m posting naked IPN------I’m posting naked

39. More to Know….. LMIRL---Let’s meet in real life LMIRL---Let’s meet in real life NP-------Nosy Parents NP-------Nosy Parents PIR------Parent in Room PIR------Parent in Room P911----My parents are coming P911----My parents are coming SPST----Same place same time SPST----Same place same time Source: www.cypertipline.comwww.cypertipline.com

40. Leetspeak  What is it?  Can you translate? Google Leetspeak Translators Teen Angels

41. Need to read a good book  Many Free pamplets which you can download from internet sites  FBI parent handbook available on line  Respected in Field:  Parry Aftab’s Parent’s Guide to Protecting Your Children in Cyberspace

42. Resources you know www.disney.co.uk/DisneyOnline/Safesurfing/ www.pbskids.org/license/ www.staysafe.org/getnetsafetour/default.html www.cybertipline.com www.fbi.gov/publications/pguide/pguidee.htm

43. Resources you should know…. Many Free & interactive resources www.wiredsafety.org www.netsmartz.org www.cybertipline.com www.cyberbullying.org www.internetsuperheros.org www.staysafe.org www.protectkids.com www.commonsensemedia.org

44. Free to Pay for Service Sites www.myspace4parents.com offers a guide for parents www.myspace4parents.com www.myspacewatch.com offers free monitoring of 1 profile and 25 friends for free. For $16.00 per month, you can monitor 5 profiles and 100 friends www.myspacewatch.com

45. Pay for Service Webwatcher by www.awarenesstech.com Webwatcherwww.awarenesstech.com $99.95/ Free trial offer Monitor children's key strokes real-time from anywhere Block ANY webpage based on content or web address Read Instant Message (IM or “Chat”) Conversations Read Incoming and Outgoing Email Log every keystroke Take screenshots Record online & offline activities Quickly sift through data using unique keyword system www.Benetsafe.com --offers daily reports for up to 3 children. Flags names/hometown and provides you a summary of “friends” linked to profile www.Benetsafe.com

46. CyberSentinel.com Content Monitoring software Notify parents of violations Operates in the background Detects predators, and pedophiles Monitor and restrict Chat and Instant messages $35.99

47. NetNanny.Com 2005 parenting software award winner A Filtering/monitoring software: Filter out personal data from e-mails Provides safety tips for parents Stops porn Limits time online Stops file sharing $35.99

48. More Filtering Software www.n2h2.com www.cyberpatrol.com www.cybersitter.com www.awarenesstech.com www.benetspace.com www.netnanny.com

49. Think of developmental age Internet Licenses Using PSA’s as a springboard to conversations On-Line materials Microsoft Disney Wired Safety I-Safe

50. What should I tell my child Never give out personal information Remember A/S/L Be as anonymous as possible. Protect your info. Check to see if your service has a "friends" list that allows you to control who can visit your profile or blog. Avoid in-person meetings.

51. My SPACE Settings "Require email or last name to add me as a friend" "Require email or last name to add me as a friend" Check "Approve Comments before Posting" Check "Approve Comments before Posting" Check "Hide Online Now" to make your online status invisible to other users. Check "Hide Online Now" to make your online status invisible to other users. Check "No Pic Forwarding" to prevent other users from emailing links to your images from the site. Check "No Pic Forwarding" to prevent other users from emailing links to your images from the site. Check "Friend Only Journal Comments" to allow only your friends to post comments on your blog entries. Check "Friend Only Journal Comments" to allow only your friends to post comments on your blog entries. Check "Block Friend Request From Bands" to block unwanted friend request from bands. Check "Block Friend Request From Bands" to block unwanted friend request from bands.

52. Blog Safety Photos: Think before posting. What's uploaded to the Net can be downloaded by anyone and passed around or posted online pretty much forever. Avoid posting photos that allow people to identify you (for example, when they're searching for your high school), especially sexually suggestive images. Before uploading a photo, think about how you'd feel if it were seen by a parent/grandparent, college admissions counselor, or future employer. Photos: Think before posting. What's uploaded to the Net can be downloaded by anyone and passed around or posted online pretty much forever. Avoid posting photos that allow people to identify you (for example, when they're searching for your high school), especially sexually suggestive images. Before uploading a photo, think about how you'd feel if it were seen by a parent/grandparent, college admissions counselor, or future employer. Check comments regularly. If you allow them on your profile or blog, check them often. Don't respond to mean or embarrassing comments. Delete them and, if possible, block offensive people from commenting further. Check comments regularly. If you allow them on your profile or blog, check them often. Don't respond to mean or embarrassing comments. Delete them and, if possible, block offensive people from commenting further. Be honest about your age. Membership rules are there to protect people. If you are too young to sign up, do not attempt to lie about your age. Talk with your parents about alternative sites that may be appropriate for you. Be honest about your age. Membership rules are there to protect people. If you are too young to sign up, do not attempt to lie about your age. Talk with your parents about alternative sites that may be appropriate for you.

53. Social networking for parents Be reasonable and try to set reasonable expectations. Pulling the plug on your child’s Internet activities is rarely a good first response to a problem - it's too easy for them to "go underground" and establish free messaging and social- networking accounts at a friend's house or many other places. Be reasonable and try to set reasonable expectations. Pulling the plug on your child’s Internet activities is rarely a good first response to a problem - it's too easy for them to "go underground" and establish free messaging and social- networking accounts at a friend's house or many other places. Be open with your teens and encourage them to come to you if they encounter a problem online - cultivate trust and communications because no rules, laws or filtering software can replace you as their first line of defense. Teaching your kids to be critical thinkers about their safety will pay dividends for years to come. Be open with your teens and encourage them to come to you if they encounter a problem online - cultivate trust and communications because no rules, laws or filtering software can replace you as their first line of defense. Teaching your kids to be critical thinkers about their safety will pay dividends for years to come. Talk with your kids about how they use the services. Make sure they understand basic Internet and social-networking safety guidelines. These include protecting privacy (including passwords), never posting personally identifying information, avoiding in-person meetings with people they meet online and not posting inappropriate or potentially embarrassing photos. Suggest that they use the services’ privacy tools to share information only with people they know from the real world and never admit “friends” to their pages unless they are certain who they are. Talk with your kids about how they use the services. Make sure they understand basic Internet and social-networking safety guidelines. These include protecting privacy (including passwords), never posting personally identifying information, avoiding in-person meetings with people they meet online and not posting inappropriate or potentially embarrassing photos. Suggest that they use the services’ privacy tools to share information only with people they know from the real world and never admit “friends” to their pages unless they are certain who they are.

54. Family internet safety Consider requiring that all online activity take place in a central area of the home, not in a kid's bedroom. Consider requiring that all online activity take place in a central area of the home, not in a kid's bedroom. Try to get your kids to share their blogs or online profiles with you Try to get your kids to share their blogs or online profiles with you

55. Make internet safety a Family Concern

56. Filters: block access to content URL’s---website specific URL’s---website specific Human Review Human Review Key Words Key Words “Content” specific “Content” specific Tools for Families

57. Monitor computer activity Google your child’s name Google your child’s name There are tools to inform adults about a child's online activity without necessarily limiting access. Some of these tools simply record the addresses of Web sites that a child has visited. Others provide a warning message to a child if he/she visits an inappropriate site. There are tools to inform adults about a child's online activity without necessarily limiting access. Some of these tools simply record the addresses of Web sites that a child has visited. Others provide a warning message to a child if he/she visits an inappropriate site. Monitoring tools can be used with or without the knowledge of the child. Monitoring tools can be used with or without the knowledge of the child. Tools for Families

58. Family Considerations Develop a family internet plan Have child sign a contract regarding their internet-use Consider the developmental age of your child Have regular discussions about the internet, netetiquette, child predators and plagiarism.

59. National Association of School Psychologists establishing parent-child internet use contract. establishing parent-child internet use contract. consider the developmental level of the child when formulating the tone and details of your conversation consider the developmental level of the child when formulating the tone and details of your conversation Teach children not to send personal information on-line Teach children not to send personal information on-line Stress the dangers of having a face-to-face meeting with someone whom they met on-line Stress the dangers of having a face-to-face meeting with someone whom they met on-line

60. NASP Recommendations Cont’d Supervise/monitor Internet Friends Supervise/monitor Internet Friends Know and review your child's screen names Know and review your child's screen names Place home computer in a central location as opposed to a private bedroom Place home computer in a central location as opposed to a private bedroom

61. Take the good with the bad Opportunity to Learn Opportunity to Learn Opportunity to Socialize Opportunity to Socialize Opportunity to Mobilize Opportunity to Mobilize Opportunity to Inform Opportunity to Inform We live in a multi-media world We live in a multi-media world NYS has technology standards NYS has technology standards Digital Natives vs. Digital immigrants Digital Natives vs. Digital immigrants

62. Simple Steps Step by Step Know what’s out there Of course your children know more than you. That’s OK, they spend more time on the computer than you

63. Thank you! Use Common Sense Use Common Sense Make it a Family Priority to discuss internet Safety Make it a Family Priority to discuss internet Safety Educate Yourself Educate Yourself You have many resources You have many resources You are not alone You are not alone Carolyn Walsh, School Psychologist Saxton Middle School www.psychedup.eboard.com